AutoAAN Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for Affordable Voicemail App

Buy It Once, and Never Pay for Voicemail Again, Help Bring AutoAAN to the market

June 8, 2014 (Newswire) -
Today, Toronto startup Think Idea Do announced the launch of its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for Automatic Answer And Notify ("AutoAAN"), the affordable and smarter voicemail app that aims to save subscribers from overpriced, monthly voicemail charges.

Many people don't know it, but voicemail can cost almost $100 per year for many plans. For a limited one-time price of $5, you can get the AutoAAN app for iOS or Android and never pay for voicemail again. It works for all carriers, anywhere in the world.

In May, AutoAAN commissioned a study to gauge the impact this could have. Over 400 people were surveyed, and the results showed that 45 percent of voicemail users didn't know how much they were paying. On top of that, over 48 percent would switch to AutoAAN if they didn't have to pay for voicemail again. If 48 percent of Canadian voicemail users made the switch, they could save over $500 million a year (by replacing a $5 monthly plan)

On top of the savings, AutoAAN has additional features that your standard voicemail is missing. There are no limits on how many messages you can store or how long they can be, and they never expire. When the phone rings, you can choose from one of 12 "contextual greetings" to play for the caller. Instead of your standard "I'm not here, leave a message," you can let them know you're in a meeting, at a restaurant, or watching cat videos.

Founder Daniel Feuer is a serial entrepreneur and a mentor to young Canadian entrepreneurs, and his hope is that AutoAAN will end the expensive voicemail monopoly. "Our app is the first that puts the control of voicemail where it should be, with the phone owner. No longer will anyone be dependent on their carrier for an under-powered and over-priced answering machine," said Feuer. "Aside from the practical cost savings, callers can now have context as to why they received voicemail and when the call will be returned. AutoAAN will do for voicemail what VOIP did for long-distance by providing competition and savings."

AutoAAN's Indiegogo campaign lasts until July 10 and is flexible, meaning that any funds contributed will go toward the project. The app is expected to be released in September 2014.